Abstract: This application discloses a lithium-ion secondary battery. The lithium-ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator, and an electrolytic solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modular planar interconnect plate includes steps of a) providing a metal blank sheet having a main region and two first lateral regions, b) forming two openings respectively in the first lateral regions, and c) stamping to form protrusions and depressions at the main region on lower and upper surfaces of the metal blank sheet. In the stamping step, each of two lower surrounding protrusions and two upper surrounding depressions is formed to surround a corresponding one of the openings, and each of an upper surrounding protrusion and a lower surrounding depression is formed to surround the first lateral regions and the corresponding ones of the protrusions and depressions formed at the main region.

Abstract: Provided are stainless steel for a separator of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which exhibits enhanced hydrophilicity and enhanced corrosion resistance, and a method of manufacturing the same. In the stainless steel for a separator of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which exhibits enhanced hydrophilicity and enhanced corrosion resistance, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a ratio of Cr hydroxide/Cr oxide included in a passivation film of the stainless steel ranges from 0.5 to 1.7, and the passivation film has a contact angle (?) of 70° or less. Thus, not only corrosion resistance may be enhanced by removing a non-conductive film formed on a surface of the stainless steel and forming a new conductive film thereon, but hydrophilicity may also be secured without additional surface treatment such as a separate coating or the like, and thus manufacturing costs may be reduced and productivity may be increased.

Abstract: A coating for a bipolar plate of a fuel cell or an electrolyzer contains a homogeneous or heterogeneous solid metal solution. The coating contains at least 15% Iridium and up to 84% Ruthenium with a total combined concentration of Iridium and Ruthenium of at least 99% (atomic). The coating also contains at least one of Nitrogen, Carbon, and Flourine. The coating may contain traces of Oxygen or Hydrogen. The coating may be used as part of a layer system that includes one or more undercoat layers and the coating as a covering layer.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant oxide films for use with proton exchange membrane fuel cells are described. Bipolar plates of proton exchange membrane fuel cells are subject to highly-acidic environments that can degrade the bulk material and associated properties of the bipolar plate leading to reduced proton exchange membrane fuel cell lifetimes. Materials, structures, and techniques for increasing the corrosion resistance of bipolar plates are disclosed. Such materials include substrates having a surface portion, which includes an Fe2O3 oxide layer having (110), (012), or (100) Fe2O3 surface facets configured to impart corrosion-resistance properties to the substrate.

Abstract: According to the invention, an electrophoretic dispersion liquid includes at least one type of an electrophoretic particle, and a dispersion medium, in which the content of transition metal of group 8 elements derived from a catalyst which is used to generate at least one of a block copolymer (a particle surface treatment agent) used to form the electrophoretic particle and the dispersion medium is in a range of greater than 0 ppm to equal to or less than 2 ppm in the electrophoretic dispersion liquid.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator having high corrosion resistance even in an environment where fluoride ions are present, which is a fuel cell separator comprising a metal base material, a tin oxide film provided on a surface of the metal base material, and a conductive polymer film provided at least on an area exposed due to a defect present on the tin oxide film on the surface of the metal base material.

Abstract: Provided is a separator for a fuel cell that can suppress a decrease in the power generation performance of the fuel cell by reducing the contact resistance of the separator. Specifically, provided is a separator for a fuel cell, the separator being adapted to be in contact with a MEGA (power generation portion) including a membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell so as to separate the MEGA from a MEGA of an adjacent fuel cell, the separator including a metal substrate made of metal; and a tin oxide film covering a surface of the metal substrate on the side of the MEGA. The tin oxide film is made of tin oxide containing 1 to 10 atom % of aluminum.

Abstract: A bipolar plate can include at least one resin selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyphenylsulfone, a polymer resistant to sulfuric acid, and combinations of any thereof. The bipolar plate can further include conductive fibers comprise amount of from about 20% to about 50% by volume.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a spatial distribution (Rx,yf) of a parameter of interest (R) representative of the electrical power production of an electrochemical cell, including steps of determining the spatial distribution (Rx,yf) the parameter of interest (R) depending on a spatial distribution (Qx,ye) of a second thermal quantity (Qe) estimated beforehand from a spatial distribution (Tx,yc) of a set-point temperature (Tc) and from a spatial distribution (Dx,yr) of a first thermal quantity (Dr).

Abstract: An extruded matt foil has at least one layer in which glass beads are uniformly distributed in a polymer matrix with at least one fluoropolymer and at least one further layer. The matt foil has a particularly high UV-resistance, a high weathering resistance and excellent mechanical properties. Therefore, the foil is highly suitable for surface-protection of materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and for use in high-pressure laminates (HPLs).

Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel cell (100), comprising a stack (1) of alternating bipolar plates (113) and membrane electrode assemblies (114) as well as flow channels (104, 105) that are designed between a bipolar plate (113) and a membrane electrode assembly (114) and flow channels (104, 105) that are designed within a bipolar plate (113) as well as a motor vehicle with such a fuel cell. Provision is made that a surface (101) of at least a part of the flow channels (104, 105) that is overflowable by a fluid has, regarding its direction of extension at least in part a hydrophobic segment (101a) and a hydrophilic segment (101b) with regard to a cross-section of the flow channel (104, 105).

Abstract: The present specification relates to a carrier-nanoparticle complex and a preparation method thereof.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus including: an energy storage device; an outer covering; electric equipment disposed in the outer covering; and a housing part which houses the electric equipment, wherein a drain passage, which is disposed in a region covered by the electric equipment and through which water is discharged to outside of the region, is formed on a lower wall surface below the electric equipment in the housing part.

Abstract: A fuel cell flow field plate includes an aluminum substrate plate having a first side and a second side wherein the first side of the aluminum substrate plate defines a plurality of channels for transporting a first fuel cell reactant gas. The flow field plate also includes a first metal interlayer deposited on the first side of the aluminum substrate plate, a second metal interlayer deposited on the second side of the aluminum substrate plate, a first amorphous carbon layer deposited on the first metal interlayer, and a second amorphous carbon layer deposited on the second metal interlayer. The first amorphous carbon layer and second amorphous carbon layer each independently have a density greater than or equal to 1.2 g/cc.

Abstract: Provided is a metallic material including: a base metal made of a metal; a metal compound layer stacked on a surface of the base metal, the metal compound layer mainly containing a compound of at least one transition metal in the fourth period and oxygen; a platinum group portion dispersed on a surface of the metal compound layer, the platinum group portion mainly containing at least one platinum group element; and a platinum group compound coating film which covers the platinum group portion, the platinum group compound coating film mainly containing a compound of at least one platinum group element and oxygen. The at least one platinum group element contained in the platinum group portion is preferably one or more of Ru, Rh, Os, and Ir.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sintering and conditioning fuel cell stacks utilizing channel guides, baffles, and internal compression systems are provided. Sintering and conditioning may be performed utilizing a fuel cell column cartridge assembly and fuel cell stacks may be sintered and conditioned at the system level during the same annealing cycle on the same support.

Abstract: A fuel cell (1) has a plate (2) produced by powder metallurgy which comprises in one piece a porous substrate area (4) to which the electrochemically active cell layers (6) are applied, and a gastight edge area (5) which is provided with gas passages (17, 18).

Abstract: An insert for a water sports board, wherein the insert includes a pre-preg flange extending outwardly from an injection molded central housing to provide enhance structural properties of the insert, as well as enhanced intermediate bonding between the injection molded central housing and a surface polymer. The pre-preg flange further improves the strength to weight ratio when compared to conventional inserts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite separator for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and a method for manufacturing the same. The inventive method involves allowing graphite foil layers to be brought into direct contact with each other when graphite foils are stacked on both sides of a carbon fiber reinforced composite material prepreg, thereby improving electrical conductivity in the thickness direction of the separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a bipolar plate having a cationic polymer layer and a conductive and hydrophilic surface layer disposed on at least a portion of its exterior area. The surface layer comprises a conductive carbon material having a hydrophilic organic group ionically attached to its surface. A process of producing a bipolar plate and a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible circuit board capable of preventing corrosion and elution of a conductor layer constituting a current collector even under high-temperature and high-voltage working conditions while achieving sufficient electric connection with an MEA. A flexible circuit board having a current collector of a fuel cell provided thereon includes an insulating flexible base material 1, a plurality of openings 5 that supply fuel or air, the openings 5 being provided in a specified region so as to penetrate through the flexible base material 1 in a thickness direction, a plating film 6 that constitutes the current collector, the plating film 6 being formed on front and back surfaces of the flexible base material 1 in the specified region and on inner walls of the openings 5, a surface treatment film 9 formed on the plating film 6 and having corrosion resistance higher than that of the plating film.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a plurality of stacked cells each having an ionic conductive electrolyte membrane, an anode placed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode placed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and a conductive separator on which a first refrigerant channel for flow of a refrigerant is formed in center part thereof. The separator comprises penetration holes constituting a manifold which extend in a direction of stacking of the plurality of cells and through which the refrigerant flows and second refrigerant channels for communication between the penetration holes and the first refrigerant channel. A plurality of protrusions that protrude into the penetration holes from parts of wall surfaces of the penetration holes that are located peripherally in connection parts between the penetration holes and the second refrigerant channels.

Abstract: This disclosure related to polymer electrolyte member fuel cells and components thereof.

Abstract: A compact of a support-member divided-member, which has a shape formed by dividing a support member into two in the thickness direction so as to divide the fuel channel into two in the thickness direction, is manufactured by a gel cast method in which slurry is filled in a molding die. A compact of a fuel-side electrode and a compact of an electrolyte are successively stacked on the upper surface of the compact of the support-member divided-member, whereby a compact of a cell divided member is obtained. The two compacts of the cell divided member are bonded and sintered, whereby an SOFC cell (sintered body) in which an oxygen-side electrode is not formed is formed. A compact of the oxygen-side electrode is formed respectively on the upper and lower surfaces of the sintered body, and then, the compact of the oxygen-side electrode is sintered, whereby the SOFC cell is completed.

Abstract: The oriented amorphous carbon film contains C as a main component, 3 to 20 at. % of N, and more than 0 at. % and not more than 20 at. % of H, and when the total amount of the C is taken as 100 at. %, the amount of C having an sp2 hybrid orbital (Csp2) being not less than 70 at. % and less than 100 at. %, and (002) planes of graphite being oriented along a thickness direction. This film has a novel structure and exhibits a high electric conductivity. This film can be formed by DC plasma CVD method in which an electric discharge is generated by applying a voltage of not less than 1500 V to reaction gas including at least one kind of compound gas selected from gas of a carbocyclic compound containing Csp2 and gas of an N-containing heterocyclic compound containing Csp2, and nitrogen and/or silicon, and nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A first metal separator and an electrolyte electrode assembly are stacked in a fuel cell. The first metal separator comprises a convex portion that abuts against the electrolyte electrode assembly, and a concave portion forming an oxygen-containing gas flow channel between the electrolyte electrode assembly and the concave portion. A gold coating layer is formed on the convex portion. The gold coating layer includes a main gold coating portion and a reticulate gold coating portion that extends around the main gold coating portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, and one or more devices which in operation of the system provide an azimuthal direction to one or more anode or cathode feed or exhaust fluid flows in the system.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first plurality of ribs extending from a first major surface of the interconnect and defining a first plurality of gas flow channels between the ribs, the ribs extending between a first rib end and a second rib end and having a tapered profile in a vertical dimension, perpendicular to the first major surface of the interconnect, proximate at least one of the first rib end and the second rib end, wherein the ribs comprise a flat upper surface and rounded edges between the flat upper surface and the adjacent gas flow channels, the rounded edges having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the gas flow channels comprise a rounded surface having a second radius of curvature, different from the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite separator for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a graphite foil prepared by compressing expanded graphite is stacked on a carbon fiber-reinforced composite prepreg or a mixed solution prepared by mixing graphite flake and powder with a resin solvent is applied to the cured composite prepreg such that a graphite layer is integrally molded on the outermost end of the separator.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The non-crystalline carbon layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article, such as a plate for a use in a fuel cell, which has a base onto which a coating is applied which is electrically conductive and which includes a substantially carbon material layer and at least one intermediate layer which can be a nitride, carbide, metal and metal alloy. The multilayer coating which is formed allows the protection of the article in an efficient and effective manner.

Abstract: Fluid distribution plate (1) for a fuel cell assembly, comprising a first plate (11) made of an electrically conductive material impermeable to all the fluids used in a fuel cell assembly, said distribution plate having a useful section (S) which is the surface over which the gases used by the electrochemical reaction are distributed, said useful section (S) being bordered all around by a peripheral section (P), said first plate having a given thickness e1 in the peripheral section and a smaller thickness e2 in the useful section so as to form a recess from the side facing the outer face and so as to have a flat inner surface, a flexible graphite foil (11C) being applied against said first plate (11) over the entire surface of the recess, the visible face of the flexible graphite foil having a distribution channel (111) for one of the fluids, said network being formed completely in the graphite foil.

Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.

Abstract: The fuel cell assembly of the present invention comprises a first fuel cell, a second fuel cell disposed adjacent to the first fuel cell, and a current collector for electrically connecting the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell. The first fuel cell and the second fuel cell are respectively furnished with an electrical generating portion for generating electricity, each of the electrical generation portion having a first electrode through the interior of which a first gas flows, a second electrode of a polarity different from the first electrode, on the exterior of which a second gas flows, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The current collector distributes and sources the current generated in the first fuel cell generating portion from two different locations on the first electrode on the first fuel cell to the second electrode of the second fuel cell.

Abstract: A bipolar plate to reduce electrical contact resistance between the plate and a diffusion layer used in a fuel cell. The opposing surfaces of the plate define flow channels with upstanding lands interspersed between them. The lands of the plate form an electrically-conductive contact with a diffusion layer in the fuel cell. At least a portion of the electrically-conductive contact is made up of a nickel-based alloy that reduces the contact resistance between the plate and the diffusion layer as a way to achieve improved electric current density. In one form, the alloy can be used as the primary material in the plate, while in another, it can be used as a coating deposited onto a conventional stainless steel plate.

Abstract: An amorphous carbon film contains carbon as a main component, not more than 30 at. % of hydrogen, not more than 20 at. % of nitrogen and not more than 3 at. % of oxygen (all excluding 0 at. %), and when the total amount of the carbon is taken as 100 at. %, the amount of carbon having an sp2 hybrid orbital is not less than 70 at. % and less than 100 at. %. Nitrogen and oxygen are concentrated on a surface side of the film and when detected from a surface layer by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, oxygen content ratio is not less than 4 at. % and not more than 15 at. % and nitrogen content ratio is not less than 10 at. % and not more than 30 at. %. The amorphous carbon film attains both electric conductivity and hydrophilicity and exhibits suitable surface characteristics to a fuel cell bipolar plate, etc.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a process including providing an electrically conductive fuel cell component having a first face, and depositing a graphitic/conductive carbon film on the first face of the electrically conductive fuel cell component comprising sputtering a graphite target using a closed field unbalanced magnetron field.

Abstract: A power generating system may include a plurality of bipolar plates stacked to form a fuel cell assembly having an inlet side, a non-inlet side, an inlet header extending from the inlet side to the non-inlet side, an active area, and an inlet transition area. The inlet transition area may be in fluid communication with (i) the inlet header via feed passageways formed in each of the plates and (ii) the active area. The feed passageways of the plates located proximate to the inlet side may be generally smaller and/or fewer in number than the feed passageways of the plates located proximate to the non-inlet side such that, during operation of the fuel cell assembly, a flow velocity of gas through the active area is generally constant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a metallic bipolar plate for fuel cells, which can maintain good corrosion resistance and contact resistance without any side effect not only initially but also after a predetermined period of time even in an environment of severe vibration as in vehicles while allowing a continuous process to provide high productivity.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each sub-cell includes a first electrode in fluid communication with a source of oxygen gas, a second electrode in fluid communication with a source of a fuel gas, and a solid electrolyte between the first electrode and the second electrode. The SOFC further includes an interconnect between the sub-cells. In one embodiment, the SOFC has a first surface in contact with the first electrode of each sub-cell and a second surface that is in contact with the second electrode of each sub-cell; and the interconnect consists essentially of a doped M-titanate based perovskite, wherein M is an alkaline earth metal. In another embodiment, the interconnect includes a first layer in contact with the first electrode of each sub-cell, and a second layer in contact with the second electrode of each sub-cell. The first layer includes an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting of an metal, a metal alloy and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a bi-polar plate of a fuel cell and the bi-polar plate thereof are presented. A graphite film is formed first. Next, a polymeric material added with electrically conductive powder is coated on a surface of a metal substrate. The graphite film is disposed on the polymeric material and the polymeric material is hardened to form an adhesive layer, such that the graphite film is attached on the surface of the metal substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact element for an electrically conductive connection between an anode and an interconnector of a high-temperature fuel cell. It is the object of the invention to achieve a more reliable electrically conductive connection with long-term stability between an anode and the associated interconnector of a high-temperature fuel cell. The contact element in accordance with the invention is arranged between an anode and an interconnector of a high-temperature fuel cell. It is formed with two areal electrically conductive part elements. In this respect, one respective part element is in touching contact with the anode and the other part element is in touching contact with the respective interconnector. Openings are formed in the part elements and the part elements are formed from materials having mutually different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a metal separator. The metal separator is stacked with the membrane electrode assembly. A reactant gas passage is provided between the membrane electrode assembly and the metal separator to supply a reactant gas along an electrode surface. The metal separator includes a reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The metal separator further includes a plurality of groove groups each having a plurality of grooves press-formed to allow the reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The grooves adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a first distance. The groove groups adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: This invention relates to the presence of slightly or non-porous zones in the electrode layer around gas inlets, in order to improve the leak tightness between the different individual cells making up a fuel cell with a plane geometry. The fuel cell comprises a first electrode layer having a non-porous zone forming a passage therethrough for gas flow and an electrolyte layer having a protuberance which extends into the first electrode layer for forming the non-porous zone with the non-porous zone representing a gas tight passage. Nested contact between the bipolar plate and the ceramic triple layer making up the basic cell is also described and is another possible means of avoiding mixes of gasses.

Abstract: The present invention proposed manufacturing method of coating layers with good conductivity and corrosion resistance at high productivity comprising etching the oxide layer on the stainless steel substrate by plasma etching to activate the surface and prevent from decreasing it's conductivity, coating metal nitrides like CrN or TiN in nano size thickness on the etched surface and coating carbon layer at nano size thickness on top of it. According to the present invention, it is possible to produce manufacture fuel cell bipolar plate, electrode material and stainless steel with reinforced conductivity and corrosion resistance in mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite separator for a fuel cell, which can reduce the electrical contact resistance by performing an additional post-treatment to remove residual resin remaining on the surface of the composite separator by plasma etching. In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite separator for a fuel cell, in which a liquid phase resin for gasket is applied to the surface of the composite separator along a predetermined gasket pattern, or a semi-cured resin for gasket in the form of a film with a predetermined gasket pattern is stacked on the surface of the composite separator, and then plasma etching is performed to remove the residual resin and, at the same time, cure the resin for gasket, thus reducing the overall processing time to improve the productivity and preventing a composite material of the separator from being damaged.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a bipolar plate assembly is provided that may include straight-through tunnels to transport fluids from one side of a header seal to an opposite side of a header seal, fluidly connecting fuel cell stack reactant headers and bipolar plate reactant flow channels.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a substrate having a plurality of molecular chains, each chain comprising a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic segment, and a reversible crosslinker.

Abstract: In fuel cell separator, the periphery of manifold through which fuel gas, reaction water, etc., pass and the seal line being a site of bonding with an adjacent separator are provided with a resin layer. Within the surface of the separator, the resin application site on which the resin layer is formed undergoes subbing treatment in advance to thereby increase the capability of bonding with the resin. When the resin layer consists of a resin having an NH group, as the subbing treatment, hydroxide deposition treatment is carried out on the surface of the separator.